Received a text message from the Vodafone 2222 traffic service this morning warning me of the treacherous conditions on the roads. This is presumably because I use the service a lot. It is really good and I am surprised not more people know about it. I use it all the time when I am travelling long distances on the motorways to tell me where the hold-ups are. Highly recommended.
Just found these fantastic YouTube videoclips of Raul Prieto playing Durufle's Toccata and Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens - a must-see for any organist! You can see his website here: www.raulprieto.net. I have an organ music playlist here which contains some of my favourite organ music.
I saw the first pair of goldfinches in my garden today. This is months after putting the Nyjer feeder (see above - from the RSPB shop) in my garden several months ago. At last, they have got the message probably because it was frosty all day.
I can report on the successful completion of the 4 English 3000 footers last weekend on the tenth anniversary of the first annual leaders' weekend in 1997. The Saturday walk was up Skiddaw in force 12 (confirmed by anemometer reading!) winds. On Sunday we walked up Scafell Pike via Piers Gill and Scafell via Fox's Tarn. On Monday we climbed Helvellyn via Striding Edge and returned via Swirral Edge and Lanty's Tarn. On Tuesday, we split into two groups, one climbing Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man and the other christening the newly repaired boat "Second Wind". More photos can be seen here.
Did you see the proms on Sunday 19 August 2007? If not, you missed a treat. This was truly inspirational. Gustavo Dudamel conducts the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela. Here are some reviews on the BBC website. Here are some YouTube extracts:
Shostakovich - Symphony Nº 10 2nd movement
The interval discussion
Interview with Gustavo Dudamel
Moncayo - "Huapango"
Márquez - Danzón Nº 2
Bernstein Symphonic Dances (West Side Story) Part I
Bernstein Symphonic Dances (West Side Story) Part II
Bernstein - Symphonic Dances (West Side Story) Part III
"Second Wind" is the name of our boat, chosen because it has been recovered from Coniston Water and repaired, having been vandalised earlier in the year.
I can report the successful completion of the 15 Welsh 3000 footers. My walking log at www.whitecottage.org/walks2007.htm shows some pictures. This was done in 3 days using youth hostels: Snowdon horseshoe, the Glyders and the Carnedds and was a long-standing ambition. More photos can be seen here.
Walked across Scotland Coast to Coast in May/June. For a report, see my webpage here. For all my walks and treks, visit my webpages here (on www.whitecottage.org). This was inspired by the TGO Challenge.
Climbed Blencathra via Sharp Edge on 1 March and then went over Bowscale Fell nearly 10 years after completing the Wainwrights on this fell. More photos can be seen here.